235day.year
Pope Anterus succeeds Pontian as the nineteenth pope.
In 235, Pope Anterus became the nineteenth pope, succeeding Pontian and leading the early Christian community.
Pope Anterus was elected following the resignation of Pope Pontian.
His pontificate began amid the persecutions of Christians in the Roman Empire.
Despite his short tenure, he focused on strengthening the Church's organizational structure.
He is remembered for his dedication to the clergy and care for persecuted Christians.
Anterus served as pope for just a few months before his death, possibly as a martyr.
235
Pope Anterus
Pontian
pope
1620day.year
Plymouth Colony settlers sign the Mayflower Compact (November 11, O.S.)
On November 21, 1620 (O.S.), Plymouth Colony settlers signed the Mayflower Compact, establishing self-government.
Arriving on the Mayflower, the settlers faced the challenge of creating a lawful society.
On this day they drafted and signed the Mayflower Compact aboard their ship.
The Compact pledged cooperation and rule by majority among the colonists.
It became a foundational document for democratic governance in New England.
The agreement set a precedent for future colonial charters and American political thought.
1620
Plymouth Colony
settlers
Mayflower Compact
November 11
O.S.
1789day.year
North Carolina ratifies the United States Constitution and is admitted as the 12th U.S. state.
On November 21, 1789, North Carolina ratified the United States Constitution, becoming the 12th state.
North Carolina was the last of the original colonies to ratify the Constitution.
The state initially hesitated over the lack of a Bill of Rights.
Its ratification secured the framework for the United States federal government.
By joining the Union, North Carolina ensured its representation under the new system.
The state's entry influenced the promise of amendments that became the Bill of Rights.
This event helped shape the early political landscape of the young nation.
1789
North Carolina
United States Constitution
U.S. state
1861day.year
American Civil War: Confederate President Jefferson Davis appoints Judah Benjamin Secretary of War.
On November 21, 1861, Confederate President Jefferson Davis appointed Judah Benjamin as Secretary of War.
During the early months of the American Civil War, leadership was crucial.
Jefferson Davis selected Judah P. Benjamin to oversee the Confederacy's war efforts.
Benjamin, originally Attorney General, faced challenges in organizing resources.
His appointment aimed to improve military administration and strategy.
Benjamin served as Secretary of War before later becoming Secretary of State.
His role influenced Confederate policy and wartime governance.
1861
American Civil War
Confederate
Jefferson Davis
Judah Benjamin
1918day.year
The Flag of Estonia, previously used by pro-independence activists, is formally adopted as the national flag of the Republic of Estonia.
Estonia formally adopts its blue-black-white tricolor as the national flag in 1918, symbolizing the birth of the new republic.
Originally designed by students at the University of Tartu, the blue-black-white flag became a rallying symbol for Estonian independence. Its formal adoption followed the collapse of imperial rule and the declaration of the Estonian Republic. Each color carries meaning: blue for faith and sky, black for the soil and hardships, and white for purity and aspirations. The flag endured periods of prohibition during Soviet occupation and was restored in 1990, reaffirming its role in national identity.
1918
Flag of Estonia
Republic of Estonia
1918day.year
The Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act 1918 is passed, allowing women to stand for Parliament in the UK.
The 1918 Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act gives UK women the right to stand for Parliament for the first time, expanding democratic participation.
Following decades of suffrage activism, the Act marked a milestone in the campaign for gender equality in Britain. While the Representation of the People Act extended voting rights to some women, this legislation allowed them to become parliamentary candidates. It paved the way for Nancy Astor’s election in 1919 as the first female MP. Despite continuing limitations, the Act represented a significant step toward broader political representation and social reform for women.
Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act 1918
1922day.year
Rebecca Latimer Felton of Georgia takes the oath of office, becoming the first female United States Senator.
Georgia's Rebecca Latimer Felton becomes the first woman to serve in the United States Senate.
At the age of eighty-seven, Rebecca Latimer Felton was appointed by Governor Thomas Hardwick to fill the vacancy left by Senator Thomas E. Watson's death. She took her oath on November 21, 1922, earning the distinction of the first female United States Senator. Felton was a prominent educator, journalist, and women's rights advocate known as the "grand old woman" of Georgia politics. Though her term lasted only one day, her brief service marked a milestone for women in federal political office. This event celebrated the growing influence of women in American government following the ratification of the 19th Amendment.
1922
Rebecca Latimer Felton
Georgia
United States Senator
1954day.year
People's Action Party, an eventual dominative political party in Singapore, was established.
The People's Action Party, Singapore's dominant political party, is founded.
Founded on November 21, 1954, the People's Action Party (PAP) emerged under the leadership of Lee Kuan Yew and other young activists. The party campaigned vigorously for self-governance, social reforms, and the end of British colonial rule. In 1959, PAP won Singapore's first general election as a self-governing state, with Lee Kuan Yew becoming Prime Minister. PAP's policies focused on economic development, public housing, and multiracial harmony, laying the foundations for modern Singapore. The party has remained in power ever since, shaping Singapore into a prosperous global city-state.
1954
People's Action Party
Singapore
1969day.year
U.S. President Richard Nixon and Japanese Premier Eisaku Satō agree on the return of Okinawa to Japanese control in 1972. The U.S. retains rights to bases on the island, but these are to be nuclear-free.
Nixon and Satō agree to return Okinawa to Japan with nuclear-free US bases.
On November 21, 1969, US President Richard Nixon and Japanese Prime Minister Eisaku Satō reached a landmark agreement to restore Okinawa to Japanese sovereignty by 1972. The accord allowed American military bases to remain on the island but prohibited nuclear weapons deployment. This decision ended 27 years of US administration following World War II and addressed a major political issue in Japan. The agreement balanced Okinawan demands for greater autonomy with security concerns during the Cold War. It strengthened US-Japan ties and shaped the regional security architecture in East Asia.
1969
Richard Nixon
Eisaku Satō
Okinawa
1972day.year
Voters in South Korea overwhelmingly approve a new constitution, giving legitimacy to Park Chung Hee and the Fourth Republic.
South Koreans approve a constitution cementing Park Chung Hee’s authoritarian rule.
On November 21, 1972, a national referendum in South Korea approved a new constitution that established the Yushin system, significantly expanding President Park Chung Hee’s powers. The Fourth Republic formalized extended presidential terms and curtailed political opposition under martial law. Critics argued the referendum lacked transparency and suppressed dissent, while supporters claimed it brought stability and economic progress. The constitutional changes entrenched authoritarian governance until Park’s assassination in 1979. The Yushin era left a complex legacy in Korean political history.
1972
Park Chung Hee
Fourth Republic
1977day.year
Minister of Internal Affairs Allan Highet announces that the national anthems of New Zealand shall be the traditional anthem "God Save the Queen" and "God Defend New Zealand".
New Zealand officially adopts "God Save the Queen" and "God Defend New Zealand" as its national anthems.
On November 21, 1977, Allan Highet, New Zealand's Minister of Internal Affairs, made a landmark announcement on the designation of national anthems. He declared that the traditional British anthem, "God Save the Queen," would remain an official national anthem while introducing a second anthem, "God Defend New Zealand," reflecting New Zealand's cultural identity. This decision marked a balance between colonial ties to the monarchy and a growing sense of independent nationhood. The announcement sparked public debate over national symbols and cultural heritage. Since then, both anthems have been sung at official events and sporting occasions, highlighting the country's unique traditions and its constitutional monarchy. The dual anthem policy remains a distinctive feature of New Zealand's national identity.
1977
Minister of Internal Affairs
Allan Highet
national anthems
God Save the Queen
God Defend New Zealand
1979day.year
The United States Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan, is attacked by a mob and set on fire, killing four.
A mob attacks and burns the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, killing four people.
On November 21, 1979, a violent mob scaled the walls of the United States Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan. Driven by anger over U.S. policy in the region, protesters set fire to embassy buildings and diplomatic vehicles. The attack quickly escalated into a full-scale assault, overwhelming Pakistani security forces on site. Four embassy staff members lost their lives in the blaze and ensuing chaos. The incident severely strained U.S.-Pakistan diplomatic relations, prompting a re-evaluation of embassy security worldwide. In its aftermath, the U.S. State Department implemented stricter protective measures at diplomatic missions. The tragedy underscored the vulnerabilities of embassies in volatile regions.
1979
Islamabad
set on fire